Chair



( o DODGE.

" Chair.

Patented May. 31, 1-881.

N. IFUERB. Phobulhogndw, Wilhlnflbn. D. C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. DODGE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,283, dated May 31, 1881.

Application filed April 7, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MAPES DODGE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chairs; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this application.

My invention relates to a novel construction of that kind of chair which is adapted to have the seat folded up toward the back. As is well known, this kind of chairs is used very extensively nowadays in theaters and other places in which it is desirable to seat the greatest possible number'of persons, their chief advantage resting in their capacity to have the seat folded up out of the way to facilitate the passage of persons between such seats when placed (in rows) back of each other.

Previous to my invention the construction of this kind of chairs, sometimes called operachairs, has been such that there was a liability of a dropping down (into the seating condition) of the folded-up seat, and,besides, the plan of structure has been unnecessarily expensive.

In the most improved form of opera or folding-seat chair it has been customary to have the back arranged so that when the chair should be in disuse said back could be tilted forward at the upper end, so as to have said back more out of the way of persons passing between it and the chair immediately in rear of it but as heretofore made such chairs have had the back and the seat each pivoted to a separate leg-frame, and have not only been unnecessarily expensive in their structure, but liable to have either the back or the seat (or both) easily tilted down or turned out of their positions of disuse by the slightest touch of a passer by just when it would be most desirable to have both of these parts remain in the folded-up condition.

My invention has for its main object to produce a chair of the class referred to in which the construction shall be such that while the article can be cheaply manufactured the combined action of the movable parts shall be such that when the seat and back shall be folded up the latter will be thrown more out of the way, and both parts shall be less liable to accidental or casual displatementfrom their positions of disuse than are the parts of chairs of this class as heretofore made; and to this main end and object my invention consists in a chair composed wholly of a back-frame and a seat-frame, each adapted to be pivoted at its lower end to the floor or chair-supportin g device, and the two combined by pivotal con nections with the seat proper in such manner that the seat and back of the chair may be tilted or folde ltoward each other, and when so folded up cannot be made to assume a seating condition by pushing in any direction against the back, or by any casual pressure against either of the moving parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to more fully describe it, referring by letters to the aocompanyin g drawings, which form part of this specification, and in which I have illustrated a chair made according to my invention as I have so far practiced the latter, and according to the best mode of carrying out the same llOW kllOWll to me.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the chair with its parts adjusted to or set in the proper condition foroccupancy. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the back and seat folded up together, thus showing the condition of the parts ofthe chair when the latter is put in a condition for disuse. Fig. 3 is a back view with the parts adjusted as shown at Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section at a to, Fig. 3, with the parts in the condition seen at Fig. 1.

In the several figures the same part will be found designated by the same letter of reference.

A is the back-frame, which, as clearly shown, consists simply of two pieces of cast metal or other suitable material, of the proper shape to form both the front legs of the chair and the proper means of support for the back 0, and each of which is formed or provided with an arm, I), of the desired shape and size, projecting forward at a suitable elevation above the seat of the chair.

The back 0 may be made of any suitable material, and may be upholstered, if desired, and is secured to the two parts of the frame A by any desired means, and in about the manner shown.

D is the seat-frame, and consists, as shown, of two pieces, which form the hind legs of the chair, and have the seat E pivoted to their upper ends by means, preferably, of studs or journals f f, projecting from each side of the said seat E, near its back edge, as clearly shown. Said seatE is provided, also, with two other pivotal studs or journals, g g, projecting from its sides at points a short distance forward of those at which occur the pivots ff, and the said journals or pivots g 9 work in suitable hearings or holes in the two side pieces of the backframe A.

Each of the pieces of the frame A, and also each of the pieces of the seat-supportin g frame 1), is pivoted at its lower end to the floor or supporting-surtace for the chair, preferably by means of a metallic shoe-piece or stand, h, securely bolted in place, as clearly illustrated. These pivotal connections of the leg portions or lower ends of the parts A and D should be so placed, relatively, that the chair, when in the condition seen at Figs. 1 and 4, will have the back properly inclined, and the lower edge of the back 0 and the rearward upper surface of the seat E come into contact, and that when in the condition seen at Figs. 2 and 3 will have the frame A in a position such that its leg portions will be about vertical, and the seat E in a position such that it will come into contact with the back 0, while the pivotal pointsf and g at each side of the chair will be about in line vertically.

When the parts are turned into the relative position shown at Figs. 1 and 4- the chair is ready for use and has its back 0 inclined to a degree sufiicient to insure the comfort of its occupant; and when unoccupied the parts of the chair have a sufficiently strong tendency to remain in this relative position to prevent any casual closing up of the seat While persons are passing in front ofit or preparing to occupy it, because,in' order to lift the front edge of the seat E, the weight or pressure of the back-frame, A, with its back 0, on the points of pivotal connection 9 g must be overcome, and owing to the fact that the whole frame A is situated on one side of the pivotal points ofits connection with the door, and is inclined much from a per1' endicular position, said weight or pressure is very considerable.

\Vhen the parts of the chair are turned into the relation seen at Figs. 2 and 3, not only are the seat E and back 0 closed up together, and also into a substantially vertical position within imaginary vertical planes projected upward from the lower attached ends of the legs of the chair, so as to he as much as possible out of the way, but the pivotal parts are placed in such relative position that neither the back nor seat can be turned down accidentally, because the seat is out of reach of casual contact with persons in front of the seat, and any pressure against the upper front portion of the back 0 will operate to more securely maintain both the seat and the back in their turned-up position, and, further, because no pressure against the upper rear portion or side of the back (3 by persons behind the seat can operate to either turn down the seat E or move the back 0 farther forward to any material extent, though any pressure against the upper rear partof the back 0 will operate to slightly move forward tlfe top of said back until the pivotal points f and g in each side are brought into a line which passes through the pivotal attachment of each hind leg to the floor, thus causing the pivots g to pull dead against said points of attachment, and the forward pressure on the back 0 to counteract any effort that might then be made to pull down the front edge of seat E.

It will be seen that the principle of construction of my improved folding seat involves simplicity and economy of manufacture in an eminent degree, and it will be, of course, understood that the gist-of the invention lies in havin g the side pieces or parts composing the front legs and back and arm supports and the hindleg portions D both pivoted or flexibly 'con nected at their lower ends to the floor, and the seat E pivoted to these two devices, in substantially the manner shown and described.

I do not, therefore,wish to have my claim of invention understood as being limited to any precise detail of structure of any of the parts; but

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A chair composed of a hack and front leg frame provided with means for pivotal attachment to the floor, aback-leg frame or rear-leg portions, also provided with means for pivotal attachment to the floor, and a seat connected by pivots or hinge-likejoints to the upper part of said rear-leg portions, and also to the said back and front leg frame, all arranged in the manner set forth, whereby the chair-seat may be folded against the back and the several parts made to assume a substantially "ertical position, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of April, 1881.

JAMES M. DODGE.

In presence of GEO. G. MARsIrALL, G. G. HOWE. 

